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Re: RB Seen as a Mid-Round Option for Steelers in 2012 NFL D

I think Redman will have no problem taking over as the primary back. I hope Batch can see some time as the 3rd down back. I haven't seen enough of Clay to say one way or the other but he has shown some talent.

I haven't seen anything out of Dwyer that I really like. He had 2 big runs in that one game but those holes were big enough that just about any back could have run through them. So far he hasn't shown me any vision, any cutback ability, or the ability to break tackles. Given that it's been reported that he has shown up out of shape I am really disappointed in him.

Re: RB Seen as a Mid-Round Option for Steelers in 2012 NFL D

With the Steelers now being a "throw first" team (ouch, I hate saying that), we need that blitz-blocking/pass-catching/change of pace back that will complement the power of Redman (note--not Mendenhall--I'd send him packing with an injury settlement). I'd like to see a short (as in hard to pick up in the backfield behind the line--5'9" or shorter), packed (200 lbs or greater) RB picked up late (5-7) or as a UDFA. I'd look at Bobby Rainey, Davin Meggert, or Bryce Beall as possibilities.

Since he probably (?) won't be back, a big hat's off to Mewelde, who really did an outstanding job of everything he was asked to do for the Steelers over the past few years.

Re: RB Seen as a Mid-Round Option for Steelers in 2012 NFL D

Top RB prospects Lamar Miller (left) and Trent Richardson can expect a long wait on Day 1 of the draft. (AP)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The more I think about it, the more I think NFL Network's Mike Mayock is right. Unless you're looking at Adrian Peterson, it's almost never a good idea to spend a high draft pick on a running back.

Of course, that's not what Alabama's Trent Richardson wants to hear, but, sorry, the numbers don't lie. And what the numbers tell you is that of the NFL's top five rushers last season, none was a first-round draft pick and one -- Houston's Arian Foster -- wasn't even drafted.

The highest choice was Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy, and he was the 53rd pick of the 2009 draft.

But let's go a little further. Of the top 10 rushers, there were four first-rounders, with none higher than the 12th choice -- which is when San Diego's Ryan Mathews and Seattle's Marshawn Lynch came off the board. It's not until you get to Reggie Bush at the 11th position that you find a top-five pick (he was second in 2006), with Cedric Benson (fourth in 2005) right behind.

There's a message there, and it was reiterated by Mayock when he met with the media Sunday at the NFL's annual scouting combine. And the message is this: Unless you absolutely, positively have a conviction about a guy, spend your top-10 draft choice on someone other than a running back.

"What it tells you," Mayock said, "is that if you're not Adrian Peterson, there probably shouldn't be a top-five or top-ten running back. Either because of injuries or because of a lack of talent or whatever, if you go back to every class up to Adrian Peterson, you can't make a case for a top-ten running back."

I'll second that.

The last top-10 running back was C.J. Spiller, and Buffalo found him with the ninth pick in 2010. He was the NFL's 43rd leading rusher last season.

Before Spiller, there was Oakland's Darren McFadden at the fourth spot in 2008, and while he flashes production when he plays, he doesn't play all that much. The guy has missed 19 games in four years -- including nine last season.

Then there was Peterson, at the seventh position in 2007. Alabama's Richardson is projected as a top-five draft choice, but I would be careful, people, and I just explained why. Nevertheless, Richardson pleaded his case with the media, telling listeners why he wouldn't pay attention to recent NFL history.

"When it comes down to it," he said, "I'll be the dude that's on the field and getting the ball on third-and-3 and fourth-and-1. And not to be cocky or anything, but I work on my game every day, and even if it's not physical stuff, I work in the classroom learning the plays, and learning the defensive line and what the linebackers and safeties are doing so I can pick up my blitzes.

"I love to block. Everybody knows I can run the ball. I've never been caught from behind. So if anyone wants to question my speed, just look at the tape. When it comes to football, any game you want to ... just look at it and try to find a negative. A lot of people try to find a negative in your game, and there aren't too many negatives I have."

He's probably right. But he's a running back, and when it comes to top-five running backs, that's not exactly a positive.

I mean, look at the past seven Super Bowl winners and tell me where there's a top-five rusher in there. There's not. And among the past 11 Super Bowl winners, you find only one running back who was a top-five draft choice -- and that was Bush, who was drafted No. 2 in 2006 and had a grand total of 70 carries in 2009, the season New Orleans won it all.

Anyway, you get the idea.

"There are so many good running backs you can get later in the first," Mayock said. "You can just keep running down the running-back position and go 'Wow, why not go down a little bit further or get two backs for the price of one?' "

Need a dynamic RB with great hands who catch some passes out of the backfield. IE- a Shady McCoy- type. Wilson and and also Martin look pretty damn impressive....

isonator07:

"I'd like to see us grab Pead in the 3rd."

--Actually, a very interesting post-- he said:

"Of our biggest needs (NT, OG, ILB) I think we can afford to wait on ILB the most. I'm hoping one or both of Glenn or Poe are available (If both are gone I would hope that Hightower was available for us). In the second taking the best available at the position passed on in the first. I'd like to see us grab Pead in the 3rd."

"I think Pead would be a nice change of pace to Redman. It's kind of a luxury pick, but I think he could be used like Darren Sproles was in New Orleans."

--Yeah! If the Steelers could somehow get all 4 of the players mentioned in the 1st 3rds I doubt anyone in Steeler nation will complain.

There are a number of fans liking Pead. [He was probably first mentioned in Dee Dub's mock] But now I'm thinking the Steelers will not take him since he will probably not be around 4-7 when they will look at RB's.

All of the above mentioned RB's were in this thread. The following are RB's from some other threads and from mocks.

Steel Life:

Some UDFA's to Consider:

Michael Smith, RB Utah St. - Played behind Robert Turbin, but was very impressive in limited role.

Bernard Pierce RB Temple. Underclassmen. Had 27 touchdowns in 2011 and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Pierce is about 6’ tall and 215 pounds. He is still adding bulk to his frame. Some say that he is a little stiff, lacks an extra gear, and runs a bit upright. However, all agree he is a slippery runner who has done all he can at Temple. Is he a late second round pick or a fifth rounder?

There were a few more mentioned in mocks.

Big Rob:

Round 5: Robert Turbin RB Utah State

A 5'9" 220lb running back that can power run with the best of them. He is better than Clay and the out of shape Georgia Tech running back. Plus he's green.

---That sounds about right. My guess is if the Steelers take a RB it will come from the ones on the following list. And as of now Turbin is in there.

About the only reasons I could figure for having any interest in RB's would be the noticeable conditioning factor of the backups mentioned by some fans. [Hard to figure that isn't it?] And/or and I didn't want to mention this but besides the ACL injury it is possible that the twitter incident is more in play than anyone suspects.

Oh well, today is the big day for the LB's and DL's. This is what many fans are reall;y waiting for anyway.

Re: RB Seen as a Mid-Round Option for Steelers in 2012 NFL D

I don't think we need to draft OR sign a RB because we need to see who we already have. Yea, bring in some random cheap FA competition, but that just takes away opportunities to see what we have. There's always a RB cut late that we could bring in as a 3rd/4th option if we get stuck.

But we need to see:
A) How good can Redman be? I too always loved his fall forward. 2nd and 6 versus 2nd and 8/9 which Mendy gives alot. Though Mendy could bust the big one for long that Redman, both could exploit weaknesses for big gainers, Mendy's just went longer. But in 16 games, not that many 'game winners' Better to have someone eating the extra tough yards all game, all season.

B) Can Clay or Dwyer actually play in the NFL? Clay seems to have something and is physical, but can he play smart, get the blocks down that don't force fumbles on Ben and can he keep the ball himself. Is he mentally tough enough to play stretches. Or is he a 3-4 year 3rd stringer? Same with Dwyer. Great runs..periodically. Is fitness a permanent problem? After a long run, he often rolls into the fetal position for the next couple plays. Is he nothing more than a 2-3 carries a game guy like I suspect? Again, keep him for 2-3 more years and let him go. Can either of these guys develop into a Redman-esque contributor that could become more? Or are they at their peak value?

C) Batch? Will he be the same? What actually was he? Lots of question marks with him. I think everyone would like to see more, but I doubt he'll be 'fully' ready for training camp. So he'll be our 4th guy.

So in the first 6 or so games, we'll learn if Redman truly is a workhorse type back, which I think he is. And you know he'll be physically ready for the challenge. We'll also get a good look at Clay versus Dwyer.
After game 6, I think you'll begin to see some of Batch. And one of the other 2 may drop off the team if Batch looks good, unless someone else gets hurt. Games 1-6 are VERY important to Clay and Dwyer as well as training camp/preseason games obviously. But they will want to see them in real games to test them for sure.
Then Mendy will come back at some later point in the season. I don't think he'll be very good and valuable next year, but he'll begin getting more carries as the season progresses.

The question will be late in the year:
Who will stick on the roster of Redman, Clay, Dwyer, Batch and Mendy? Will we actually carry 4 into the playoffs? Possibly, which means only 1 must go. Or will Mendy go from Pup list to IR unless he really shows he is a value going into the playoffs?

The good thing is, we should REALLY be able to get a true handle on which RBs are valuable and which are stealing paychecks due to lack of needing them on the field.

My bet is that 2013 looks like this, Mendy, Redman and Batch while we draft a young kid late or grab another undrafted RB to stash.

Re: RB Seen as a Mid-Round Option for Steelers in 2012 NFL D

Originally Posted by Dee Dub

Yes, I like Isaiah Pead. He is a very well-rounded back. I think 3rd round is the area that the Steelers could be looking at calling his name.

I've heard his name quite a bit throughout the process, and apparently he has at least shown potential as a return guy. With Sanders being looked at as the #1 KR option right now, a return guy who could also help in the passing game would be a nice compliment.

I like Barron Batch -- very easy kid to root for -- but I think it is tough for the Steelers to count on him to come back from his ACL injury at 100%.